Paint En Pointe by Eugene Ward: A Dark, Twisted Journey Through Sound
If you're the type of listener who likes their music to feel like a late-night walk through an abandoned factory—equal parts eerie and electrifying—then Paint En Pointe is your jam. Released in 2015 on Where To Now?, this UK-born electronic album dives headfirst into experimental, leftfield, dubstep, dark ambient, industrial, and techno vibes. It’s not just an album; it’s more like a sonic labyrinth that messes with your brain but leaves you wanting more.
Eugene Ward wears multiple hats here—he composed, produced, and even mastered (with help from Chris Smith) this beast of a record. And let me tell you, dude didn’t hold back. The tracks are layered, raw, and dripping with atmosphere. You can almost picture him hunched over his gear, tweaking knobs until something clicks. Something weirdly beautiful.
Let’s talk about two tracks that stuck with me long after the headphones came off. First up: "Somnium (Group)". This one hits hard right outta the gate. It feels like being trapped inside someone else’s fever dream—skittering beats collide with haunting synths, creating this unsettling yet hypnotic vibe. There’s no clear beginning or end, just waves of sound washing over you. Every time I hear it, I half-expect shadows to start moving on their own. Like…what did I just listen to? But damn if it doesn’t pull me back for another spin every single time.
Then there’s "Place (Solo)", which is quieter but somehow creepier. Imagine standing alone in a vast, empty room while faint echoes bounce around you. That’s this track. It’s sparse, almost minimalistic, but those tiny details—a distant hum, a metallic clang—make it feel alive. It’s the kind of song that makes you question whether you’re hearing things or if the music itself is playing tricks on you. Honestly, I had to pause it once because I thought I heard footsteps behind me. Spoiler alert: I was alone. Or was I?
The artwork by Studio Of The Immaculate Heart perfectly matches the vibe—dark, abstract, and kinda mysterious. It sets the tone before you even press play. And props to Chris Smith for mastering this chaos into something coherent without losing its edge.
What strikes me most about Paint En Pointe is how unapologetically strange it is. In a world full of polished playlists and cookie-cutter beats, this album dares to be different. Sure, it might not appeal to everyone, but isn’t that the point? Music should challenge us, make us uncomfortable, force us to think—or at least feel something real.
Final thought: Listening to this album feels like trying to solve a puzzle that has no solution. And honestly, I’m okay with that. Maybe we don’t need all the answers. Maybe sometimes, it’s enough to just sit in the weirdness and let it exist. Or maybe I’ve been listening to too much dark ambient. Who knows?
Anyway, go check it out. Just don’t blame me if you start hearing things…
